Glass Wall Design Televisions From Plush Department

New at Plush Department of Amsterdam (the same company about whose fabulous ceramic glazed computers I wrote about here) are these high end modular and wall mount flush glass television screens.

One of the biggest challenges for Plush Department was the perfect integration of the visual interface. Often, tv screens are a disruption of the interior, so they looked at a variety of possible solutions and decided on glass as the perfect material.

The screens are seamlessly integrated into the design while maintaining the highest possible image quality.


above: the 200cm x 140cm white basic module

above: 175cm x 140cm white wall mount module

above: the 200cm x 140cm black basic module

The Modular Glass Television by Plush Department is a High Definition television of the highest grade with superior image quality and the best possible color representation and sharpness.

The television is mounted behind glass on the wall. Once switched off, the black image area turns into a mirror. The set integrates beautifully into the interior design.

You can use one or more modules. If you use several modules the center module contains the television. Of course you can also use several modules each containing a television.


above: 200cm x 140cm black basic module

You can choose between white and black or request special colors. In the near future they intend to extend the line with furniture modules by well known designers.



Plush Department is a division of MR Silent Computing
Dukdalfweg 30
1041BE Amsterdam - Nederland
Tel. +31-(0)20 33 01 345
Email: info@plushdepartment.com



Another way to 'conceal' a modern television are these wonderful Two Eye TV's, the R4.

Took Long Enough! A High Tech Lite Brite From Bandai: Luminodot

The japanese company Bandai has come out with a high tech HD led version of Hasbro's Lite Brite. The toy that lets you add clear colored pegs to a light box backing to create glowing pictures.


above: the original Lite Brite toy

Lite brite was one of my favorite toys as a kid and believe it or not, I still have my original. However, this new one by Bandai, the Luminodot, is sorely tempting me to purchase it. With 1600 colored pegs and a sleek screen, it retails for $179.00 USD.

Like the original, you can use templates to place on the light box under the perforated screen to follow as a guide or randomly create your own designs.






They have Disney licensed templates too:



a few examples of some of their downloadable templates.


They have several templates to choose from. see their downloadable templates here.

Features (as described by audio cubes):
Bandai's Luminodot is the Lite-Brite we always knew we wanted. This 70 by 50 pixelated board is supported by a bright LED backlight. With 1600 bulbs in 12 different colors, each dot is important to finish the master piece. Any type of images can be projected onto the Luminodot, from a simple 2D picture to perspective art works. Featuring a private software that helps the user to create and preview the image. Luminodot is designed with a removable front panel, which allows the user to place the printed image underneath. A one-of-a-kind interior decoration. Available only from Japan.

Specs:
Power: AC adapter
Accessories
1600 color bulbs

In Japan, buy it here.

In the US, buy it here.

Brionvega's Alpha TV takes Its Cues From Gray, Corbusier & van der Rohe

You probably don't think of televisions as having timeless design or believe that they would ever become modern classics. But Brionvega's Alpha TV could change that. With design cues clearly inspired by several classic pieces of modern furniture from the late 1920s, the latest generation tv from Brionvega, the Alpha, may end with a permanent place in design books.



Above right : Eileen Gray's Bibendium Chair, 1925

The Alpha is an LCD TV set with built-in DVD player, characterized by design remniscient of the immortal furniture masterpieces by Le Corbusier, Marcel Breuer, Mies van der Rohe and Eileen Gray.



Above: Mies van der Rohe - Cantilever Armchair (1927)

Brionvega's Alpha is composed of two slender elements joined by a frame of chrome tubing within which the special wirings are pulsing. A choice which is in direct contrast to most LCD tvs and which focuses on a new layout with the capability of containing the space required by electronics and DVD player.



Above: Le Corbusier's Grand Confort Armchair, 1929

Even the remote control has been designed to impress with materials often associated with well-made furniture. In lieu of plastic, the material used is die-cast aluminum, not metallized plastic.



With a 19" screen, it has a display with 1280 x 1024 resolution, 160-degree viewing angles and a contrast ratio of 1200:1. This futuristic piece also comes with a DVD-player built into its unconventional base, a refreshing change from the usual supporting pedestal.


Above right: Eileen Gray's Adjustable Table E 1027, 1927


Above: Brionvega designer Valerio Cometti

Unfortunately, the set does not include a digital tuner and is not yet HD-ready.

Prices run €1950,00 for the 19" without DVD player and €2150,00 for the 19" with dvd player. You can pre-order them now.
Brionvega

If you'd like to know where you can buy the wonderful classic modern furniture by Eileen Gray, Meis van der Rohe, Corbusier and more shown here, check out the stores listed under classic modern furniture in my side bar or try DWR, by clicking on their logo below.



Shop for TVs and videos here

G1 GIYA Loudspeakers From Vivid Audio: Expensive & HUGE

and might I add...ugly?

Bizarre speakers by VIVID Audio to be unveiled next week in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Suggested price? $54,000. USD

Maybe this pic below will show you why.


Those suckers are giant!

Press release:
Vivid Audio are proud to announce the G1 GIYA loudspeaker system to be launched during CES 2008 from the penthouse suite at THE MIRAGE HOTEL 7 to 11 January 2008. Please call Jerry Hanna on +1 860 593 3868 or Philip O'Hanlon (USA) +1 310 266 6337 for more information on this exceptional product.

Funky Find Of The Week: Lantic's Pure Gold Remote Control

This new remote control by Lantic Systems is made of pure gold. That's right, gold.
I dare you to call it 'the clicker'.

source-Lantic Systems' site:
Lantic Systems delivers the most expensive remote control in the world.
The Danish hi-tech manufacturer Lantic Systems, which is specialized in developing high end integrated entertainment systems, has designed a remote control in pure gold.

It is probably the world’s most expensive remote control on the market – at a price in excess of USD 30.000,- which compared to the standard remote control retailing from USD 1050,-

The new remote control – Gold RC1 – was presented Nov. 13th at the METS 2007 Exhibition in Amsterdam, Holland – the worlds biggest marine equipment trade show.

Lantic Systems is ready to deliver Gold RC1 from December 2007 and the first orders have already been received.

Modeled after the original RC1 from Lantic Systems, the Gold RC1 offers the same sleek form factor and cool metallic finish and ease of use that have made the RC1 one of the hottest remote controls on the market today.

The Gold RC1 is as well as in design as in function the centre of the Lantic Entertainment system which offers control over TV/video/dvd, music/CD, internet, e-mail, CCTV, burglary alarm, lights, curtains, air-conditioning and surveillance of navigation systems etc.

This is a unique technology which matches the other integrated state-of-the-art management and entertainment systems, which Lantic Systems is specialized in developing for the mega yachts and the exclusive homes worldwide.

To contact:

Lantic Systems A/S
Nordlandsvej 90
8240 Risskov
Denmark
E-mail: info@lantic-systems.com
Telephone: +45 8743 9090
Fax: +45 8743 9099
For more information, click here.

This Christmas' Must Have Toy: Pleo

Wouldn't you like to be the coolest parent (or grandparent or Aunt or Uncle) this holiday season?

Then get on board with what will be the hottest purchase this holiday. It's Pleo, the adorable, computerized, 'smart' toy brought to you by the same creator of Furby. At $349.00 the price may actually go up if demand is like that for hot toys in the past. It isn't avialable until October in the US, but you can pre-order now.

You may laugh at my thinking about Christmas gifts in June, but I can assure you this one will be a nightmare to attempt to find once it's hit the market.

Read on and learn why it's an unusual, inventive, adorable toy.



Pleo, a one week-old dinosaur, is a robotic marvel and the newest member of your family! Pleo interacts with you – moving organically, expressing emotion, autonomously exploring and responding to the world around him. Each Pleo has a unique personality that develops based on Pleo’s life experiences with you.




On Pleoworld.com owners connect, find training tips and download new enhancements to Pleo. Pleo’s sophisticated sensory system has devices that enable him to hear, to see, to sense touch, and to detect objects: a color camera, sound sensors, two infrared sensors, 14 motors, over 100 gears, eight touch sensors, and an orientation sensor.




Every Pleo is unique. Yes, each one begins life as a newly-hatched baby Camarasaurus*, but that's where predictability ends and individuality begins. Pleo doesn't just do what he's told. He develops his own personality, moods, and habits—all shaped by the time he spends with you. In creating this Life Form, we merely set the wheels in motion. Making the magic is up to you and Pleo.



*What is a Camarasaurus?
Camarasaurus was a late-Jurassic North American herbivore, 60 feet long in adulthood, and just Pleo's size as a newborn.



What comes in the box:
Every Pleo life form Includes
Companion guide
Training leaf
Authenticity ID Card
NiMH replaceable, rechargeable battery pack
AC charger



Measurements
Pleo: 20.7" L x 6.0" W x 7.5" H. (3.5 lbs.)
Shipping Box: 24.0” x 10.0” x 8.0: (5.0lbs)








How Do They Do It?




Significant Processing Power
32-bit Microprocessors – central and image processing
8-bit Subprocessors – motor control

Highly Articulated Movement
14 Motors
Over 100 custom-designed gears

Complex Sensory Network
Camera-based vision system – light detection and navigation
Microphones – binaural hearing
Skin sensors – head, chin, shoulders, back, feet
Foot switches – surface detection
Force-feedback sensors – one per joint
Orientation tilt sensor – body position
Infrared mouth sensor – object detection

Multiple Data Ports
Mini USB™ port – online downloads
SD™ card slot – Pleo add-ons
Infrared transceiver – Pleo-to-Pleo communications

High-Quality Sound
2 Speakers – mouth and back

Power Source
Rechargeable and replaceable NiMH battery pack

To see him moving, click here.


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Not intended for children under the age of 8.

PLEO’s NiMH battery recharges in four hours, which provides approx. one hour of operation.

Pleo will be available in the United States in October 2007.

Available for purchase and pre-order now ($349.00 USD), click here.